Compressible soil thickness and settlement prediction using elastoviscoplastic models: a comprehensive method

The paper is dedicated to developing a comprehensive analysis method of the criteria for defining the compressible thickness critical for estimating long-term settlements in buildings and structures situated on soft soils, focusing on their creep behavior. This study introduces an engineering method grounded on the criterion of soil's undrained condition within the mass, considering both elastic and residual deformations through equivalent creep deformations. Unlike previous methodologies, the proposed method facilitates the assessment of long-term settlements by incorporating creep effects over time, employing undrained shear strength for both normally consolidated and overconsolidated soils. The method enables settlement calculations based on static-sounding data, enhancing predictions' accuracy and reliability. This research endeavors to broaden the application of numerical and analytical calculations in real-world practices, employing elastoviscoplastic soil models to design structures on weak foundations.